News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-01-20
THE GAME OF BILLIARDS.
Frank Adams story of How He Hooked
Government Clerk.


Lfrom the Sporting Journal
The exhibition that l gave before q
lot of Congressman in the billiard room
of Wizards Hotel lasted something like
an hour, and I had Just concluded nv
final shot, that of defying the laws of
motion, or forcing the hand ball in three
opposite directions, when the applause
that followed brought in, as it were,
two new stars, or in other words, at
this moment two elegantly dressed gen
tlemen came into the room in a condi-
ton that bespoke a close communion
with a couple of quarts of Pom. Sec.
They were two of the principal Govern
ment clerks in Washington, and had
lust returned from the races, of which
they were $4,000 ahead on the day.
They were recognized by all. The one
most talkative was a billiard player far
above the average, and always made a
specially of dong strangers, especially
when he had a good audience. Walk
inc up to the table where was stand
ing, he said:
''Play billiards ?'
occasionally" said I.
'I'll play you for wet goods for the
party" said he.
NV capital of a dollar and a half
looked to me that moment as big as a
circus tent. I thought if he bet the
drinks he would go still more if he won,
so I accepted the wager, telling him |
would have to make each shot by spin
ming the ball between my forefnger and
thumb, as | could not play with cue.
His reply was, he did not care whether
7 mead fin fnac Tho OoT n
commenced: I made misses, slips, and
scratches, but was finally beaten by
twelve points out of fifty. was knocked
clean out when he ordered the waiter to
bring in enough wine for the party,
which was three bottles at S. a bottle,
and still had my dollar and a half.
After the wine had been slowed away l
commented on the game, and said that
had the game been hundred points in
stead of fifty / would have wagered
anything I would have won. This Just
hit the right spot, for he instantly re-
piled:
'Tll make it hundred points for a
hundred dollars"
1 thought a moment, pulled out q
cigar, then turning to my friend, Con-
gresham Starkweather, asked him aloud
for a match. AS he was handing it to
me l asked him in an undertone to give
me all the money he had.
He replied in a whisper:
Gentlemen never put up-their words
60"
WANTED to bet a million dollars there
and then, but concluded to go slow, and
commenced by stammering and tried to
back out, but he jacketed me into bet
ting, as he said I had offered to if it was
a hundred points. After consulting his
friend, the latter said:
That's my bet, too"
Laughingly l replied, "All right. l
see am in for it, and may just as well
lose 5000 as 800.
The game opened, and I was only
seven when he was twenty nine. He
wanted to bet another 500, when told
him I could not stand it.
"Make it $50" said he.
'No; but I'll bet $40 to $50"
1t was taken, and his friend said,
'That's my bet, too"
l accepted both. Ten minutes from
the last bet the game stood 50 to Sc in
his favor, when he had the betting fever
again, and offered 500 to $50. 1 re-
luctantly accepted, his partner giving
me the same odds. My friend, Stark
weather, kept account of the wagers by
their wish, and in footing it up l was
betting $3.50 against their $500. As the
game was half over / concluded to take
no chances, so I made draw shot from
spot to spot-got them on the long rail-
and ran my sixty odd remaining points
in as many seconds. At its finish turn
ed to look at my opponant, who was
leaning on his cue perfectly dumfound-
ed. The roar that followed awoke him
from his reverie. He walked to where
l was and took me by the hand and said
''Your name, please" ] handed him
my card, which read:
'Yank Adams. champion finger bill
HARDEST of the world. Residence imma-
terial."
He hesitated moment and asked me
how long was going to stay in the
city.
That depends" I replied.
''Don't leave until [ have seen you;
but first of all let us settle accounts
and each handed me $3.50, when the
party played with asked me how many
points | could run. Without answering
the question walked up to the table
and ran 1000 points at the rate of so
points minute. The applause which
each hundred, coming from the
men of America, made
me feel as if hat, size 81, would pinch
my temples, 1t was arranged l should
stay over and beat Jimmy Davis. who
was at the National room; but the press
got hold of the affair and queered the
snap, so l packed my trunk and quietly
left for Baltimore.